Page:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms.djvu/630

 excipuliforme. The stem is sometimes lacunated, whence Bulliard's Lycoperdon lacunosus, &c. tab. 52. We have seen the plant in this last state growing in woods, but we suspect the furrows to have been eaten by some species of Limax when the fungus was young. Both this and the last plant renew their outer coats after being wounded. The cellular part affords some powder, though very little in proportion to the general cavity above, which powder, as in the preceding species, is attached in immense quantities to minute fibres. The stellæ are sometimes formed in regular points, three or more, spreading or coming together, varying from a perfect white to a deep black. Large specimens of this are called Lycoperdon maximum in Schæffer, tab. 191. TAB. CCCXXXIII.

found this plant often, mostly growing solitary, varying very much in sfize. The upper part is always sharply conical, somewhat opaque and mealy. The stipes is partly transparent, and cylindrical, about the same length as the head. The root is composed of a few small fibres. Of the many I have seen, I did not perceive that it grew from decaying or putrid Larvæ. TAB. CCCXXXIV.

curious little parasite is found on Fern-stalks in autumn, either on the upright growing plant or the decaying remains of it. We have found it varying a little; see fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 1. has a smoother head than fig. 2, the head of which is nearly similar to a Sphæria, and its stalk when magnified is a little hairy. They are both solid, and of a somewhat friable texture, but in drying become a little horny. TAB. CCCXXXV.

on old stumps of trees in Kensington Gardens and other places, not unfrequently. Its delicate whiteness will sometimes help to distinguish it. The branched stems form irregular intricate tufts, resembling a Bysuss, or rather a minute Coral.